Children of the Valley presents expansion plans, asks council for help sustaining after‑school sites

Children of the Valley told the Sedro‑Woolley City Council on Aug. 27 it is expanding locally and needs sustained funding to keep new classrooms and services running.

Star Torres, site coordinator at the Sedro‑Woolley Immaculate Heart of Mary site for Children of the Valley, said the program serves 30 students each day at that location and will open a third classroom this fall to reduce a waiting list. "The children who come to our program are among those in our community who need the most support," Torres said at the council meeting.

Founded 19 years ago, Children of the Valley operates multiple sites in the region and — according to information presented to the council — now has four Sedro‑Woolley/Mount Vernon/Burlington‑area sites with 11 classrooms serving more than 200 students. Presenters described the program as referral‑based and free to families, offering 30 minutes of daily academic reading support, homework help, social‑emotional curriculum, enrichment activities and family supports such as utility or housing assistance and holiday gift drives.

The group also described program elements intended to boost long‑term outcomes, including a new middle‑school bike club run with Cascade Bicycle Club that will let participants earn a bike, and a "Dream Big" scholarship for alumni, volunteers and staff pursuing higher education.

Council members asked about scale and costs. Councilman Lavaca noted a slide that listed operating costs of roughly $75,000 per classroom (about $5,000 per student for a 15‑student cohort); presenters clarified that figure covers the organization’s broader program costs including staffing, transportation and snacks rather than just one classroom line item. Karen Maybrick, speaking on fundraising and sustainment, said the per‑student figure covers site coordinators and a two‑staff ratio per classroom, plus daily transportation home for students and snacks — items organizers said are critical to family participation.

Presenters told the council that Children of the Valley’s operating budget is roughly $1 million and is funded by private grants, state and local contracts, individual donors, foundations and in‑kind support such as school facilities. They said COVID relief funds helped rapid expansion during the pandemic and that some of that temporary funding has ended, creating sustainability questions for newly opened classrooms.

Council members suggested possible local funding paths. Councilwoman Kesty recommended applying for a $15.90 local funding source (as discussed at the meeting) to help cover hotel or housing assistance for families; presenters said they planned to apply. Councilman Cook and others asked about partnerships and volunteers; presenters said they work with Western Washington University’s Compass to Campus and with more than 200 volunteers across sites.

Why it matters: presenters and council members framed the program as serving students with high needs — including families who are unhoused — and as an intervention that can reduce later social costs by keeping students engaged in school and providing family supports.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation. Organizers left contact and website information for residents and potential volunteers; presenters said they will return with further funding requests as needed.

Ending: Children of the Valley said it will open the third classroom this fall and pursue local grant opportunities; council members praised the program and urged staff to share funding options and potential collaboration paths with the nonprofit.